The Dillon tribune., 1887-04-22
rEcHMcALiTlEs OF THE STAGE.
4 Stage Carpenter Talks Of the Nomcu-
claturc Of Stage Setting.

: 4 Stage Carpenter Talks Of the Eomcu
claturc Of Stage Setting.
"It sometimes happens that an actor OF
III actress; has 10 go into strange theatre
Interview the master carpenter, end tcll
him how the stage should bo set for the
play in which he or she appears. AS a
rule, IN i've minutes their ignorance Is
displayed. Tho terms are simple enough
and very little experience wouEs make
any one familiar with t!nlu.
"Talsc the stage itself. An ordinary
stock thcatc~ has three center traps.
These are arranged in the middle ot the
stage, one opposite each entrance, az the
spaces between the wings arc called. Then
there are two quarter traps'-smell,
| square aIcrturps on the extreme right and
! left; and two or three sinks which are
tho long, narrow hinged traps stretching
across the stage AMI Intended for the rails
ing or lowering of scenes. The stage is
covered with 'clotl,s,' divided into the
green baizc, the carpet and the ground
CLOTH or canvas painted to represent
grass, or tile pavement, or what
rot. The wings to which l
have referred, arc the narrow scenes at
the side of the stage, one projecting in
advance of the other. They are classified
as wood wings garden wings 'archi-
tcctural wings and water wings, the lat
ter consisting of sen scenes representing
just sky aud water. The 'tormcntors'
are tho wings placed close to the proscen-
iun arch, which form II sort Of frame to
tho picture behind. Borders arc strips
Of painted canvas hanging horizontally
over tho stage and matching tho wings
There arc sky borders, 'foliage borders,
"a
latter being, ;.s the name implies, cut out
c0ncayity to tho Sky.
arc run on from each side Of the stage. !,
meeting in the middle; 'hackinga,' which |
are seen through hturways, OF window
openings, and drops which are simply
painted canvas hung on u roller. Then there
arc set pieces which are small PORTIONS
OF II scene disposed about tho stage. such
as set rocks in tc fo-n Of Il bluff or
large 'oN!tlcr; tail rocks q piece slant
in:, doWi, to nothing and representing
small rocks and foliage, and ground rt,,ys,'
showing g'as$, or low, creeping foliage.
Cut woods are scenes showing t;vcs and
shrubs, :nm cut out 80 as to show the
crop OF backing behind. Set trees
arc single trees cut out Of flat canvas, or
IN some cases built up tn represent
natural tree trunk. Set waters are
strips painted to represent waves. The
part Of the stage includes the
stage proper; the 'nica,' which ere tho
galleries ut the sides above the stage from
which tho scenery is worked; Tic higgins,
oft, which Is above the flies: and the
bridge, which runs across the bncs, Of
Inc stage. The 'gruovcs' rrr the guide;
n which the flats and wings run, while
he paint frame is generally placed ut the
'ack of the stage and consists of q bridge
u front Of which the scene to tc paintcd
9 raised or lowered by prllcys.
"As to lights they inc!;:do sfoo,l;ghts,'
no border lights which are rows o; uas
ets overhead, tho bunch lights n collu:-
Ion OF burners mounted on u movable
stand so :s to be readily moved about.
ground lights, placed just clear of tho
tnSc, end strip lights, cr movable gs,
!ets, lntonde'l to lie hung on hooks Mt uny
lesirahle height ami easily stripped or
akcn down. These ere only few of the
echnic;n terms in ,rsc Behind the scenes.
ut they include, / think, the more i'm
ortant definitions. .''-Stagc Carpenter
BOSNIAN in New York Tribune.